Ashraful Makhlooqat

Assalamualaikum. Can you elaborate on Ashraful Makhlookat (noblest of all creation)? Is it something humans are born with due to their aql (intellect)? Or if it is a status we attain, how can we?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Quran says:

Indeed Allah has created the human in the best of forms. (Surah Teen v.4)

The verse signifies that man has been endowed with the best natural powers and qualities which other creatures have not been endowed with. Physically too, he is cast in the best composition – having no parallel in other creatures.

Allah has created man the most beautiful of all His creation. Ibn Arabi (RA) says that there is no creature of Allah more beautiful man, because Allah, besides granting him life, he gave him knowledge, power, speech, hearing, sight, planning and wisdom. All these are the qualities of Allah. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “Allah has created Adam in his image.” (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

It could only mean that man has been characterised by some of the qualities of Allah, because Allah is beyond any physical shape or image. (Extracted from Maariful Quran p.825 v.8)